Celebrating the International Jazz Day
Hello! Today, it is the International Jazz Day. A few years ago, UNESCO designated April 30 as the International Jazz Day to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. The inaugural International Jazz Day took place in 2012 in New York, with celebrations also taking place in Paris and New Orleans. Since then, the International Jazz Day is hosted by a different city (and country) each year. Subsequent host cities include Istanbul, Osaka, Paris, Washington DC, Havana, Saint Petersburg and Sydney (together with Melbourne). This year, Cape Town has been designated the Global Host City for the International Jazz Day 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, this year’s celebration will be virtual.
According to UNESCO, jazz is a symbol of unity and peace that breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding and tolerance; it also reduces tensions between individuals, groups, and communities, and stimulates intercultural dialogue and empowers young people from marginalized societies.
The International Jazz Day & the Traveling Psychiatrist
If you have been a regular follower of the Traveling Psychiatrist, you will probably know that I am a huge fan of jazz, and I listen to this kind of music throughout the year, and not just on the International Jazz Day. In fact, last year, I went on a solo trip to Trondheim, Norway, to attend the Trondheim Jazz Festival (also known as JazzFest). However, even though I enjoy listening to jazz for quite some time now, I had never considered in that light before.
On further reflection, I realize that jazz concerts and festivals take place all around the world. A few years ago, I was astounded by the number of such festivals taking place in Norway, one of my favorite travel destinations, but also a not very populous country. Since then, I take particular note of jazz festivals taking place in the cities I visit, and I often mention those when I share my tips and recommendations. Unfortunately, many music (including jazz) festivals have been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I would like to take this opportunity today to make a wish list of jazz festivals I would like to attend (hopefully starting in 2021, if not later this year). Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive; there are many more jazz festivals taking place (under normal circumstances) around the world.
Jazz festivals in London
London is one of the most vibrant cities in the world and home to many festivals taking place throughout the year, including these two jazz festivals mentioned in this list.
EFG London Jazz Festival (?November 2020)
The EFG London Jazz Festival is due to take place from 13 to 22 November 2020. I certainly hope that the lockdown will have been lifted by then, so the festival can still go ahead without compromising people’s health. The line-up is yet to be announced. Every year, however, this festival brings some of the biggest names in music (not exclusively jazz) to London. For example, indie rock band Calexico were amongst the many artists featured in last year’s line-up. The EFG London Jazz Festival takes place across multiple venues, including the iconic Southbank Centre, where Calexico performed.
Check out my list for London festivals (a list not limited to jazz or music festivals).
Ealing Jazz Festival (2021)
Located in West London, Ealing is a frequently over-looked London borough. It is, nonetheless, home to some of my favorite restaurants and cafes, as well as many cultural events, including the Ealing Summer Festivals which take place over June and July. These include several Carnivals, the Ealing Comedy Festival, the Ealing Beer Festival, and two music festivals: the Ealing Blues Festival, and the Ealing Jazz Festival. All four festivals take place in Walpole Park in Ealing. Unfortunately, all these festivals have been canceled this year.
For the time being, check out my tips for Ealing.
Jazz festivals in Sweden
Sweden is the birthplace of a great number of pop musicians, including the pop singers Zara Larsson, Lykke Li and Robyn, Eurovision winners Elena Paparizou, Loreen and Måns Zelmerlöw, and DJs, such as Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, and the late Avicii. Famous Swedish bands include Ace of Base, the Cardigans and Roxette. But perhaps the most famous of all is ABBA, who became worldwide famous when they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. If you’re not a huge fan of pop music, then there may still be something for you.
Stockholm Jazz Festival (?October 2020)
The Stockholm Jazz Festival takes place in the Swedish capital every October; this year it is due from 9 to 18 October (COVID-19 permitting). Concerts will take place in over 60 venues around Stockholm. The line-up is yet to be announced.
Before you go, check out my tips for Stockholm.
Jazz festivals in Denmark
According to the United Nations World Happiness Report, Finland continues being the happiest country in the world, with Denmark following closely in second place. Denmark was actually the happiest country four years ago. There are, of course, many reasons explaining why the Danes are so happy in life, and I make no claims that their love for jazz is amongst those. It is, nonetheless, a fact this Scandinavian country is home to a vibrant jazz scene, including two annually-held festivals.
Copenhagen Jazz Festival (2021)
Copenhagen is considered as one of the jazz capitals of Europe, and has been attracting international jazz musicians since the 1950s. The Copenhagen Jazz Festival has been taking place every single summer since 1979. The festival lasts for 10 days and musicians perform live in a multitude of settings, such as concert halls (including the Royal Danish Theatre, the Royal Danish Opera House and the Koncerthuset), cafés, and open-air venues. Some of these performances are free to attend. In 2020, it was due from 3 to 12 July, but unfortunately, it has been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vinterjazz (2021)
Vinterjazz is the winter equivalent of the Copenhagen Jazz Festival. However, it takes place not only in the Danish capital, but also in the cities of Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense and Esbjerg. It is next due in February 2021, but the exact dates are yet to be announced.
Before you go, check out my tips for Copenhagen.
Jazz festivals in Norway
I have previously written about the vibrant Norwegian jazz scene and the many festivals taking place in this beautiful Scandinavian country. As mentioned earlier, last year I visited the third-largest city in Norway, where I attended and thoroughly enjoyed the Trondheim Jazz Festival (also known as JazzFest). Here are a few more:
Moldejazz (?July 2020)
Molde International Jazz Festival, or simply Moldejazz, is one of the oldest jazz music festivals in Norway, as well as in Europe. Molde, on the west coast of the country, is known as ‘Town of Roses’; yet most people know this town because of Moldejazz. Due to take place from 13 to 18 July 2020, it will be hosted at various venues of the town, including the Cathedral, the Romsdalsmuseet (an open-air museum worth visiting anyway) and several squares. The line-up includes the international superstars John Legend, Herbie Hancock and Cécile McLorin Salvant, as well as the Norwegian Espen Berg Trio.
To give us a taste of what’s (hopefully) to come, Moldejazz is streaming Espen Berg Trio on the International Jazz Day (at 21.00 Central European Time).
To get to Molde, you will have to fly to Ålesund (55 minutes from Oslo); from there, it is a 2-hour drive. If you stop in Ålesund, go for a walk around the art nouveau town center; then climb the 418 steps to Aksla and admire the spectacular view of the town, the surrounding mountains and the nearby islands.
Before you go, check out my tips for Ålesund.
Sildajazz (?August 2020)
Named after the Norwegian word for herring (sild), Sildajazz takes place in Haugesund, a small coastal town in south-western Norway. It is due from 5 to 9 August 2020. The flight from Oslo to Haugsund lasts only 50 minutes.
Tromsø Jazzfestival (?August 2020)
Tromsø is the largest town in northern Norway, lying 400km north of the Arctic Circle; the flight from Oslo takes about an hour and 50 minutes. Tromsø Jazzfestival takes place every August; the exact dates for 2020 are yet to be announced.
Before you go, check out my tips for Tromsø.
Oslo Jazz Festival (?August 2020)
The Norwegian capital is home to the last summer jazz music festival in Norway, which takes place every August, when the city enjoys 16 hours of daylight and 8 hours of twilight. This year, it is due from 9 to 15 August. The line-up is yet to be announced. Oslo Jazz Festival is hosted at various venues around the city: the Opera House, Oslo Konserthus (Concert House) (very close to the Royal Palace), Rockefeller Music Hall (also in the city center), Nasjonal Jazzscene Victoria and Universitetets Aula (both on Karl Johans gate).
Before you go, check out my tips for Oslo.
Dølajazz (October 2020)
This annual jazz festival takes place in the town of Lillehammer about 2 hours on the train from Oslo. It is due to take place from 15 to 18 October 2020.
Polarjazz (2021)
Polarjazz is the northernmost jazz festival in the world. It is held in Longyearbyen, a small town in the subpolar archipelago of Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean. Midway between continental Norway and the North Pole, Longyearbyen is three hours on the plane from Oslo or an hour and a half from Tromsø. Since more than half of Svalbard is covered by glaciers and one-sixth of the world’s polar bears live there, the backdrop is simply unique. Polarjazz last took place from 30 January to 2 February 2020, when Longyearbyen enjoyed zero hours of daylight. The exact dates for 2021 are yet to be announced.
Vinterjazz (2021)
Bodø is a small city above the Arctic Circle in northern Norway, about an hour and a half on the plane from Oslo. It is also where the very first Norwegian jazz band, the Bodø Jazz Band, was established. Nowadays, Bodø is home to this small jazz festival (not to be confused with the Vinterjazz taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark), and to Bodø Jazz Open, due in May (see below). Vinterjazz is next due from 3 to 6 February 2021.
Vossajazz (2021)
Vossajazz takes place in the town of Voss the week before Easter (late March/early April). It is next due from 26 to 28 March 2021. Since the ski season lasts from December until April, this jazz festival can easily be combined with a ski holiday, as well as with a fjord cruise to the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord. Voss is an hour on the train from Bergen, or five hours and a half from Oslo.
Maijazz (2021)
As the name suggests, this is a jazz festival taking place in May. It is held in Stavanger, one of the largest cities in Norway. Located in south-western Norway, this coastal city is only 50 minutes on the plane from Oslo. Stavanger is also the gateway to two famous Norwegian attractions, the Lysefjorden (Light Fjord) and the Preikestolen (commonly known as the Pulpit Rock). Unfortunately, Maijazz has been canceled this year; it is now scheduled to take place from 3 to 9 May 2021.
AnJazz (2021)
Also known as Hamar Jazz Festival, AnJazz takes place in Hamar in early May. This year, it has been canceled; it is next due from 5 to 8 May 2021. Located on the shores of Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, Hamar is a medium-sized town in eastern-central Norway; it is about an hour and a half away from Oslo either by car or train.
Bodø Jazz Open (2021)
Bodø Jazz Open is the second (as well as the largest) jazz festival taking place in Bodø. It has also been canceled this year (it was due in May); the exact dates for 2021 are yet to be announced.
Trondheim Jazz Festival (2021)
Jazzfest, as it is also known, provides a perfect excuse to visit the beautiful city of Trondheim on the western coast of the country, once Norway’s capital, now the third-largest city. This is exactly what I did a year ago. This year, it has been postponed, with some performances already re-scheduled for 2021. For example, Jan Garbarek Group will perform on the 22nd March 2021, whereas Thomas Dybdahl will perform on the 9th of May 2021. The concerts take place in various venues around the city, including the impressive Nidaros Domkirke (Cathedral), where I saw Emilie Nicholas last year.
Before you go, check out my tips for Trondheim.
Nattjazz (2021)
Also known as Bergen International Jazz Festival, this is one of the largest jazz music festivals in Norway. It is held annually in late May/early June and takes place in a converted sardine factory at USF Verftet, in a beautiful location not too far from the city center. Doors open in the evening; so you can combine it with sightseeing in the country’s second-largest city. Or you can go on a day trip to the fjords; the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord are of outstanding beauty and only a couple of hours from Bergen. This year, Nattjazz has been cancelled. It is next due from 28 May to 5 June 2021. When the music stops (not before midnight), wander around in the twilight – it will soon turn into full daylight.
Before you go, check out my tips for Bergen.
Kongsberg Jazzfestival (2021)
Kongsberg Jazzfestival was due to take place from 1 to 4 July 2020, but has been canceled. Even though Kongsberg is a small town in southern Norway (less than an hour and a half away from Oslo either by car or train), this festival features some of the biggest names in the international and Norwegian jazz scene (such as Gregory Porter in 2018, and Cecile McLorin Salvant, Lizz Wright and Angelique Kidjo in 2019). The motto of the festival is ‘Jazz Is More’; yet, it should have been ‘Jazz And More’, as this festival’s program also features pop artists, such as Astrid S, who was due to perform on the 3rd of July 2020.
Jazz Festivals in Iceland
Although I am a big fan of both Icelandic crime fiction and Icelandic music, I am yet to visit Iceland. Many people visit Reykjavik in the winter to see the Northern Lights. However, I think I would prefer to go there in the summer for a road trip to the countryside (where a lot of fictional murders take place).
Reykjavik Jazzfestival (?August-September 2020)
Reykjavik Jazzfestival is scheduled to take place from 29 August to 5 September 2020. The line-up is yet to be announced. Given the uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic, I will give it a miss this year, and listen to Víkingur Ólafsson, Ólafur Arnalds and other Icelandic musicians from the safety of my home.
Check out my ‘musical journey to Iceland’, as well as my upcoming ‘wellbeing journey with Víkingur Ólafsson’ (due to be published on 2 May).
Jazz Festivals in Estonia
I have never been to Estonia, but when I first heard about JazzKaar, a jazz festival taking place in Tallinn in the spring, I decided that the time had come to start planning a visit to this Baltic country. This was last year. Since then, I have found out that Estonia is home to quite a few jazz festivals, so I think it is a matter of time before I set foot there. I’ve also learned about the Fotogafiska Museum which opened in Tallinn in 2019, so I now have one more reason to visit the Estonian capital (as if I needed much persuasion).
JazzKaar (October 2020)
JazzKaar normally takes place in April. However, this year it has been re-scheduled and will hopefully take place from 9 to 15 October. Rymden, one of my favorite Scandinavian jazz trios, are playing on the 11th of October. The festival takes place in various venues, including the Fotografiska Museum. In 2021, JazzKaar is scheduled from 16 to 25 April.
Christmas Jazz (November-December 2020)
If you can’t make it to Tallinn in October (or April next year), there are still plenty of opportunities to combine your trip to Estonia with jazz concerts. In fact, Christmas Jazz is due to take place from 26 November to 15 December.
Jazz festivals in France
France is another county with a vibrant jazz scene, and home to many summer jazz festivals. My (not exhaustive at all) list includes festivals taking place in Nantes (and other nearby towns), in the French Caribbean, in the alpine resort of Megève, and in the coastal city of Nice.
Les Rendez-vous de l’Erdre (?August 2020)
Nantes is a vibrant city in western France, and the 6th most populous city in the country. I was fortunate enough to visit Nantes earlier this year to attend an annually-held classical music festival, known as La Folle Journée. I was hoping to visit again this summer to attend Les Rendez-vous de l’Erdre, a jazz festival taking place at the end of the summer. This year, it is due from 24 to 30 August. It takes place not only in Nantes but also in other nearby towns (Nort-sur-Erdre, Petit Mars, Sucé-sur-Erdre, La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Carquefou, Blain, Guenrouët, Saffré, Le Gâvre, Les Touches et Saint-Mars-du-Désert) where the River Erdre flows through. All the concerts are free to attend.
Before you go, check out my tips for Nantes.
Festival Biguine Jazz (?August 2020)
Festival Biguine Jazz takes place in August on the exotic island of Martinique. Located in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean Sea, Martinique is one of the five overseas departments and regions of France (the other four being Guadeloupe, also in the Caribbean, French Guiana in South America, and Réunion and Mayotte in the Indian Ocean). The exact dates for 2020 are yet to be confirmed (or whether it will take place this year).
Before you go, check out my tips for Martinique.
Megève International Jazz Festival (2021)
Megève may be best known as a ski resort, but this Alpine village is so beautiful that it’s worth visiting even if you’re not planning to ski. The Megève International Jazz Festival (Festival International de Jazz à Megève) is a relatively new festival taking place near the end of the ski season. Norah Jones, Gregory Porter and Macy Gray have all performed there in previous years. In 2020, the festival was due to take place from 26 to 28 March, but unfortunately, it has been decided that it would be postponed to next year (2 to 4 April 2021) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The line-up will be the same as it would’ve been this year and will feature the American group Pink Martini.
Before you go, check out my tips for Megève.
Nice Jazz Festival (2021)
Moving further south to the Mediterranean coast, there’s Nice, the 5th largest city in France. I visited Nice a few years ago (but I am yet to share my tips). It was after that trip, however, that I found out about the Nice Jazz Festival, which has been taking place since 1948. Unfortunately, this year it has been canceled; it is next due from 12 to 17 July 2021.
Jazz festivals in Switzerland
Although Megève is a French village, it is very close to Switzerland (in fact, it is that close that most overseas visitors fly to Geneva and then cross the border into France). This land-locked country may be most famous for chocolate, watches and army knives, but it is also home to quite a few jazz festivals.
Ascona Jazz Festival (?June-July 2020)
Officially supported by the City of New Orleans, Ascona Jazz Festival takes place in Ascona. This beautiful town lies on the Swiss shores of Lake Maggiore in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. It is scheduled from 25 June to 4 July. At present, the festival team hopes that the festival will still take place this year, despite the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. All the concerts are open-air and the admission costs CHF 20 (£16-17).
Lugano Estival Jazz (?July 2020)
This free-to-attend jazz festival is scheduled from 9 to 11 July. All the concerts are open-air and take place in Piazza della Riforma, in Lugano. Lying on the shore of the lake of the same name, Lugano is the ninth-largest town in Switzerland, as well as the largest in Ticino.
Montreux Jazz Festival (2021)
The Montreux Jazz Festival is held annually in early July in Montreux, a town lying on the shores of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps. It is the second-largest annual jazz festival in the world (after the Montreal International Jazz Festival). Unfortunately, it has been canceled this year. However, we can stream 50 concerts for free. These include performances by Ray Charles, Wu-Tang Clan, Johnny Cash, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Deep Purple, and Carlos Santana.
Jazz festivals in California
Although California has a very well-known cinematic connection, it is also home to a considerable number of music festivals, including the renowned Monterey Jazz Festival. Most of these festivals are outdoors. This comes as no surprise, considering the rather Mediterranean climate of California. Here are a few to consider:
Monterey Jazz Festival (September 2020)
Monterey is a small city south of San Francisco and close to Big Sur. It is home to the renowned Monterey Jazz Festival, which has been previously voted the World’s Best Jazz Festival. Now in its 63rd year, it is due from 25 to 27 September 2020. The line up includes Herbie Hancock, Jamie Cullum and George Benson.
SLO Jazz Festival (September 2020)
The SLO Jazz Festival is a relatively new jazz festival taking place in San Luis Obispo, halfway between LA and San Francisco. Now in its 5th year, it is scheduled to take place from 18 to 20 September.
JazzTrax (October 2020)
The JazzTrax Festival takes place in Santa Catalina, a small island southwest of LA. Now in its 34th year, it is due from 8 to 18 October 2020.
San Diego Jazz Fest (November 2020)
Moving south and past LA, there’s San Diego, where the San Diego Jazz Fest takes place. Now in its 41st year, it is due from 25 to 29 September.
San Jose Jazz Winter Fest (2021)
Moving back to the Bay Area, there’s San Jose, home to two jazz festivals. San Jose Jazz Winter Fest last took place from 14 to 29 February 2020. The exact dates for next year are yet to be announced.
San Jose Jazz Summer Fest (2021)
In case you do not manage to get to San Jose for the San Jose Jazz Winter Fest in February, there’s also the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest in August. Unfortunately, it has been canceled this year. It is next due from 13 to 15 August 2021.
Before you go, check out my tips posts about California.
Jazz festivals in Canada
Montreal International Jazz Festival (2021)
Last but not least, I would like to mention the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the largest in the world. It was scheduled to take place from 26 June to 4 July; the line-up would have included some of my favorite artists (from the jazz scene and beyond): GoGo Penguin, Gregory Porter, Hiromi, the Cinematic Orchestra, Macy Gray, Joss Stone, Ludovico Einaudi, Ólafur Arnalds, Woodkid, and Petit Biscuit to name only a few. At the moment, some events have been canceled, whereas others may be rescheduled to later dates.
Unfortunately, we are currently in the middle of an unprecedented global situation, which has resulted not only in the cancellation of many music festivals and other cultural events, but also to the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. So, for the time being, let’s try to stay positive, enjoy the International Jazz Day and listen to this beautiful music in the safety of our homes!
Alex
(the London-based Traveling Psychiatrist)